Redblacks creating a winning tradition in a hurry

Three seasons, two Grey Cup berths: the expansion Ottawa Redblacks were fueled by mercury in their rise to the top of the CFL East.

Could it be too much success, too soon? In the mid 1990s, the Ottawa Lynx won an International League baseball championship in their third season and never could impress their fans again.

Let’s put it this way — it wouldn’t be the end of the world for the Redblacks to lose in a competitive way to the favoured Calgary Stampeders this Sunday, and leave a little something on the table for when Ottawa hosts the 2017 Grey Cup, or for the seasons thereafter.

Of course, losing was the last thing on the minds of Redblacks players and staff as they left town Tuesday for Grey Cup week in Toronto. While they didn’t have the fanciest record (8-9-1), the Redblacks were the class of the East in the regular season, and it showed in a decisive 35-23 win over the cross-over Edmonton Eskimos in the East final.

Facing devastating injuries to such luminaries as wide receiver Chris Williams and offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers, the Redblacks stayed composed, used their depth, and made new stars out of a running back like Kienan Lafrance, Sunday’s revelation. Despite the ups and downs, “we can go out in one shining moment,” said the redoubtable Redblacks quarterback, Henry Burris.

Burris, 41 but ageless, resplendent in the black Stetson he wore to the 2008 Grey Cup as part of the victorious Stampeders, continues to use a chip on his shoulders as motivation. It’s not that others disrespect Ottawa, Burris says, “you’ve got to sometimes teach people things that they don’t know.”

In this case — that the Redblacks can play.

He considers himself the keeper of the flame, until the torch is passed to quarterback Trevor Harris. Earlier in the season, this was looking like Harris’ team. What else is new — people doubting Henry. Using a mountain of doubt as putty in his broad hands, Burris has carved himself a fine career.

He promises to play on Sunday with “swagger,” he says, “although I have no idea what swagger means.” Let us help, Henry.

You are carrying an Ottawa football team into consecutive Grey Cup games for the first time since the immortal Russ Jackson in 1968-69 with the Rough Riders. THAT is swagger.

How did this team escape the grumbling that it couldn’t win at home (2-6-1 before the playoffs), couldn’t defend in clutch situations, to reach the Cup final in successive seasons? Playing in the weaker East helped, of course. Beating the Eskimos, defending Cup champs, in a blizzard, was for real, though, and makes them worthy of being in this game.

“All year, we were just kind of fighting, people telling us we weren’t good enough, the East wasn’t good enough, but none of that really matters,” says receiver Brad Sinopoli. Like Burris, Sinopoli is a former Stampeder.

Head coach Rick Campbell also cut his teeth in the West Division, including two stints with Calgary. Ottawa in 2014 was his first head coaching gig in the league and he’s brought a sense of calm resolve from day one. When others were losing their heads this season, Campbell kept his.

“I don’t think we were ever a lost cause, where you said, these guys are getting blown out, we have no chance — that wasn’t the issue,” Campbell says.

They lost and won close games, in regulation and overtime. Small margins.

“All that matters is we are in no different situation from last year as far as having an opportunity to go to the Grey Cup game and win it,” Campbell says.

Campbell and his crew would be delighted if a small margin determines Sunday’s winner. The Redblacks feel they can play with anyone if they execute as they can, and don’t turn the ball over.

Watching the game from afar in San Diego will be Campbell’s legendary father, Hugh Campbell, former star receiver for Saskatchewan and Grey Cup architect as coach and GM in Edmonton. Old Hugh has family on both sides of the field as Rick’s sister, Molly, is in the Stamps front office and Rick’s nephew is also employed by Calgary.

“Sometimes things get into the blood of a family,” Hugh once told me.

We don’t have to ask — we know the old coach in Hugh is hoping his son can return the Grey Cup to Ottawa for the first time in 40 years.

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